Friends, Family Of Missing Boater Urge Everyone To Keep Searching

GROTON, CT — It has been over a month since Sofia McKenna, 21, went missing off the coast of Groton on May 27 after she left with her friend, 20-year-old Spencer Mugford, to have some fun on the water.

There are still many questions left unanswered surrounding the events of that night, and many are still searching for the young missing boater. Among them is Valerie Mayze, a friend and co-worker of McKenna's mother, Michelle, who recently sent Patch a small article she has printed up in hopes of inspiring others to keep searching.

"They made it out to Ledge Light," Mayze said, "had a few laughs, took a snapchat...but what happened from there?"

According to Mayze, nine consecutive missed calls came between the hours of 2:05 a.m. and 2:08 a.m. from the same phone used to take the snapchat. The two were reported missing the following day, and Mugford's body was recovered nearly two weeks later on June 8.

"Over a month later there has been no sign of 21-year-old Sofia McKenna," Mayze said," although friends and family have not given up. Her mother still returns to the shore overlooking Ledge Light, searching for the slightest sign of Sofia."

See also: Body Recovered Near Groton Identified As Missing Boater: Report

• Search Suspended For Boaters Missing Near Groton: Coast Guard

Mayze said a benefit will be held for Michelle McKenna at the VFW in Preston on July 25 to aide her financial expenses and search efforts.

"If there is anyone going out on the water today, please keep your eyes open," Mayze said. "If anyone has a boat and can help our team member find her daughter, please consider trying."

According to a news release, McKenna and Spencer Mugford were last seen aboard a white tandem kayak via social media on May 27 at 2 a.m. They were reported missing at 6:30 p.m. that night.

Officials said search crews found a 14-foot white and blue sailboat with no mast on Truman Beach near Greenport, N.Y., which they believed belonged to Mugford and McKenna.

On May 28, Coast Guard officials said they had suspended their search for the two boaters

On June 8, U.S. Coast Guard officials said they recovered a body from Long Island Sound approximately two-and-a-half miles southeast of Avery Point, which was subsequently identified as that of Mugford.

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Photo credit: Valerie Mayze